running cattle

Can some of you guys tell me about the cost of running cattle in the midwest (kansas, nebraska, missouri, South Dakota) ie stocking rates, pasture costs (purchase and lease) property taxes. Any info would be helpful. I'm doing a comparison on animal unit costs for an investment group.

We figure $410 a head/year.  Includes pasture, hay, mineral, vaccine and breeding cost (natural).  Embryo, AI, and creep are not figure in this for me.  I'd probably sell all my cows if I stopped to figure out what that costs me.  Guess I prefer to do my gambling in the calving lot not the casino.

Here in south dakota we figure $400 a cow

That $400 has to come darn close for direct costs.....no if you calculate indirects (ie. pickup, 4 wheeler, tractor,etc.), it might be some higher.....

Here is what I payed to run my cows in SE IA.  These are based on actual costs on a per cow basis!

Input Item

Feed :
Pasture 2.5 acres @ $35 $88
Salt & Mineral $30
Hay 2.5 Tons @ $85 $213
Supplement/Creep $20
Distillers 1 Ton @ $55 $55
Sub-Total $405

Other Cash Expenses :
Vet & Health supplies $35
Utilities $5
Fuel & Equipment $15
Marketing $5
Interest on Feed & Cash $20
Fertilizer $15
Misc. $5
Sub-Total $100

Fixed Expenses :
Interest on Cows $90
Interest on Bulls $8
Bldngs, Fences & Equip $25
Taxes & Insurance $4
Bull depreciation/replacement $15
Sub-Total $142

Labor & Management :
Labor 8 hr. @ $10 $80

Totals : $727

I haven't figured it up, but this last total is way closer to true cost than the 1st 2.

The only thing that I have that you are missing is chem. costs for weed control.

Very realistic breakdown though!!

What about the availability of lease pasture in these areas. Is it able to be found or next to impossible?

The cost of grass is really getting high.